Mies van der Rohe was a pioneering German-American architect who is regarded as one of the influential architects of the 20th century. Some of his most notable works include the Barcelona Pavilion built in 1929, the Villa Tugendhat built between 1928-1930, and the Farnsworth House built in 1951. He is known for embracing modernism and introducing new building materials and techniques in his minimalist designs characterized by open floor plans, flat roofs, and steel and glass curtain walls. In the United States, he designed influential apartment buildings like 860-880 Lake Shore Drive in Chicago and the Seagram Building in New York City, known for their structural clarity achieved through exposed steel frames. Mies strove

1. “LESS IS MORE”
RASHI CHUGH
STUDIO 3B
SSAA,GURGAON

2. •BIRTH- March 27, 1886
Aachen, Kingdom of Prussia , German
Empire
•DIED- August 19, 1969 (aged 83)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
•Began CAREER with
father(stonemason)
• Director of Berlin's Bauhaus
•German-American architect (5)
•Leader of Modern Architecture
Fig1:MIES VAN DER ROHE
Ref:http://vincentloy.wordpress.com/2012/03/27/todays-googledoodle-dedicated-to-mies-van-der-rohe-the-father-of-modernarchitecture/
“GOD LIES IN DETAILS”

3. 1886
Mies van der Rohe is Born
1905
Mies Moves to Berlin
1908
Mies joins the staff at Peter Behrens' atelier
1926
Mies and Le Corbusier meet in Stuttgart, Germany
1930
Mies assumes directorship of the Bauhaus
1937
Mies meets Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin
1938
Mies emigrates to the United States
1969
Mies dies in Chicago, Illinois

4. 1907 1917 1921 1927
URBIG
HOUSE
1929
1930
1930 1932
1935 1943
1946
AFRIKANISCLANGE AND
LEMKE
MINERALS
HESTRASSE
ESTERS
HOUSE AND METALS
APARTMENT
HOUSES
BUILDING
S
First building FRIEDRICHSTRASSE
BARCELON TUGENDHA VERSEIDAG ALUMNI HAL
RIEHL HOUSE
OFFICE BUILDING A PAVILION T HOUSE
FACTORY

5. 1946
1947
PERLSTEIN
HALL
WISHNIC
K HALL
1949 1951
1951
1952
1952 1952 1956 1956
FARNSWORTH 50 X 50 HOUSE
HOUSE
THE
860-880
PROMONTORY LAKE
APARTMENTS SHORE
APARTMENT
S
MCCO
RMICK
HOUS
E
1958
S.R.
CROWN
HALL
ROBERT F. ESPLANAD
CARR
E
MEMORIAL APARTMEN
CHAPEL OFT
ST. SAVIOR BUILDINGS
ILLINOIS
INSTITUTE
OF
TECHNOLO
GY MASTER
PLAN

6. 1958 1962
1963 1964
AMERICAN
FEDERAL
BUILDING
THE
SEAGRA
M
BUILDIN
G
CHICAGO
FEDERAL
CENTER
2400
LAKEVIEW
1965
1965
1965
1968
LAFAYETTE PARKNEUE
NATIONAL
GALERIE
SCHOOL OF MELLON HALL
SOCIAL
OF SCIENCE
SERVICE
ADMINISTRAT
ION

7. •Barcelona Pavilion-1929
•Tugendhat House - 1930
•Farnsworth House-1951
•860-880 Lake Shore Drive-1951
•Seagram Building-1958

8. Toilets
Hall
Swimming pool
Fig 2:PLAN
Ref: http://studio-dubois.nl/index.php?/analysis/analysis/.
•Mies built the German (or Barcelona) Pavilion for the Barcelona International
Exposition of 1929. (3)
•It housed the ceremonial reception space for German industrial exhibits
commissioned by the German government.(2)

9. DIFFERENC
E
VAN DOESBURG
MIES VAN DER
„S CANVAS
ROHE‟S PAVILION
•closed center
open center
•forces compressiv
e resulting in
a constricted
center more full of
solid objects than
empty space.
horizontal
elongation and
parallelwall diagonality are
intensified,
are expansive. (4)
Fig2: Rhythms of a Russian Dance, Theo van
Doesburg, 1917; Oil on canvas
Ref:] http://acflowers.blogspot.in/2013/04/open-floor-plansystem.html.
SIMILARITY
•Both have similarity with respect to an aesthetic of rhythmic S, M, L, and XL
linear elements that dance across their elongated, fundamentally rectangular
fields.(4)

10. •Defined circulation loop
•Fluent spatial arrangements
•Open floor plan(1)
“KEYPOINTS IN THE DESIGN
•Diagonal view axis
•Spatial arrangement
•Different types of enclosures”(1)
fig 3:CIRCULATION PLAN
Ref: http://studio-dubois.nl/index.php?/analysis/analysis/.
•“Though temporary , the pavilion was still made of permanent materials – steel
, glass , marble and travertine.
•The roof supported by eight cruciform steel column which are cladded with chrome
finish.”(1)
TRAVERTINE
TILES
STEEL
GLASS
MARBLE
BARCELONA CHAIR
Fig4:EXTERIOR VIEW
Ref:http://digitalstudio.gre.ac.uk/downloads/hoa/Walter
%20Gropius%20-%20Mies%20van%20der%20Roh
e.ppt
Fig5:THE BARCELONA CHAIR
AND UNIQUE WALL MATERIALS
Ref:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barc
elona_Pavilion

11. CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
GOD LIES IN DETAILS
Fig5a:CONSTRUCTION
Ref:http://fantasticjournal.blogspot.in
/2010_10_14_archive.html
Fig5b:COLUMN CONSTRUCTION
Ref:http://www.aadip9.net/jasem/barcelonapavilion.gif

12. •Mies built villa tugendhat
, brno, Czechoslovakia (1928 to 1930)
for Fritz Tugendhat and his wife Greta
FEATURES:•Partion walls and furniture defined
function of the room.
•One consecutive space with series
of rooms.
Fig6:FLOOR PLANS
Ref: architectural review magazine.

13. MATERIALS USED
•REINFORCED CONCRETE
•STEEL-Columns
•GLASS-walls
•ONYX-partion wall
•TRAVERTINE-staircase
Fig8:INTERIOR VIEW
Ref: architectural review magazine.
•The villa can
be entered
from the street
level .
•The villa is
placed on a
sloping site
which has view
to south over
the city.(8)
Fig7:ISTAIRCASE CONNECTING ALL FLOORS
Ref: architectural review magazine.
Fig9:EXTERIOR VIEW
Ref: architectural review magazine.

14. THE BRNO CHAIR
•Cantilevered chair
•Designed for the dinning area
•Steel frame in single piece
•Bent into c shape
•Two versions :
Tubular steel
Round steel
•Finish is of stainless steel
Fig10:BRNO CHAIR
Ref: http://www.miessociety.org/legacy/projects/brnochair/
CONSTRUCTION COST
•cost of building the villa was very high due to
unusual construction method, luxurious
materials, and the use of modern
technology for heating and ventilation
•ultra-modern air-conditioning system was
located here
•glass facade that opens completely
assisted by a mechanism built into the wall
Fig11:BRNO CHAIR
Ref:whc.unesco.org/en/list/1052/

15. •Also known as the Barcelona
Table, the X Table made its first
appearance in the Tugendhat
House.
•Made of steel and glass
Fig 12:X TABLE
Ref: http://www.miessociety.org/legacy/projects/x-table/
•Seeking to make a
comfortable lounge chair
that maintained the restraint of
his minimalist aesthetic, mies
arrived at the tugendhat.
•Here, the cushions of the
barcelona meet the cantilever
frame of the MR, arriving at
an elegant solution to the
overstuffed club chair.
Fig 13: TUGENDHAT-CHAIR
Ref: http://www.miessociety.org/legacy/projects/ tugendhat-chair /

16. •Designed for Edith
Farnsworth, a
brilliant doctor.
•small weekend
retreat.
•On the banks of the
Fox River.
Fig14:PLAN
Ref:http://canoedesign.blogspot.in/2013/09/farnsworth-house.html
• Three distinct
spatial
interfaces: a
transparent
house, a covered
terrace, and an
open deck(8)
•It looks like two parallel planes held in suspension between the earth and sky by only
eight steel columns—seems simple, but mies worked through 167 drawings to come to
his final, fearless design.(8)

17. •The brilliance in its
artistic design
became the
inspiration for
other works, such
as philip
johnson‟s glass
house.
Fig 15:VIEW FROM OUTSIDE
Ref: http://www.miessociety.org/legacy/projects/
• shading and privacy through the trees around.
• Mies explained this concept in an interview about the
glass pavilion stating, “Nature, too, shall live its own
life. We must beware not to disrupt it with the color
of our houses and interior fittings. Yet we should
attempt to bring nature, houses, and human beings
together into a higher unity.” (10)
Fig 16:VIEW FROM OUTSIDE
Ref: http://www.archdaily.com/59719/

18. •A space through
which life unfolds both
independently and
interdependently
with nature.
Fig17:ELEVATED PLATFORM
Ref: http://canoedesign.blogspot.in/2013/09/farnsworthhouse.html
•House had to be as light as possible on the land
so he raised the house 5 feet 3 inches off the
ground.
•Aside from walls in
the center of the
house enclosing
bathrooms, the floor
plan is completely
open exploiting true
minimalism.
Fig18:BATHROOM
Ref: http://www.archdaily.com/59719/
Fig19:BEDROOM AREA
Ref:
http://canoedesign.blogspot.in/2013/09/farnswort
h-house.html

19. CONSTRUCTION
DETAILS
Fig19b:FLOOR DETAILS
Ref: http://adm.bibliocad.com/library/farnworthhouse_5875
Fig19a:COLUMN BEAM DETAILS
Ref:http://www.ab.deakin.edu.au/online/vgallery/
2005/srt251/berkley_a/Website/Images/photocop
y4.jpg

20. •Chicago, IL, USA
•Two iconic skyscrapers on the
chicago skyline that redefined high rise
living for the post-war generation.
•A beautiful waterfront view of 26 story
tower,288 apartments .
•At the pedestrian level, the open plan
creates a flow of natural green
Space amid the plaza.
•Mies approached the triangular site by
arranging the two apartment buildings
at cross axis towards one another.(10)
fig20:SITE PLAN
Ref:http://www.earchitect.co.uk/images/jpgs/chicago/lake_s
hore_drive_apartments_k030310.jpg

21. On the entrance level, a
horizontal roof is the sole
connector between the two
high-rise apartments towers
and does not have any
function other than to “mark
the spirituality of this specific
place.”(10)
Fig21:ENTRANCE
Ref:http://www.archdaily.com/59487/
COMMON MATERIALS WERE USED:
•Steel-I beams were welded to mullions for aesthetics
(according to people)
•Glass-used in windows(façade).(10)
Fig22:I BEAM DETAIL
Ref:http://kubuildingtech.org/sarcweb/Assembl
ages00/CaseFinals/STANTZ_860880LAKESHOREDR/Outside%20I%20beam12
.jpg

22. •Renowned for their structural
clarity and composition.
•Prior to this point, structure was
hidden within architecture.
•Here, mies merged the two by
exposing the steel, realizing his
own words: "when technology
reaches it true fulfillment, it
transcends into architecture.“ (8)
Fig23:ARIEL VIEW
Ref:http://info.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek08/0307/030
7b_lakeshore.cfm
•Chicago Landmarks in 1996
•Lake Point Tower (1968), by Shipporeit
& Heinrich inspired by Mies' glass
tower(unbuilt) of 1922. (10)
Fig 24:FRAMEWORK OF APARTMENTS
Ref:http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/
2011/08/a-special-tour-of-mies-van-der-rohes-860-880north-lake-shore-drive.html

23. ARCHITECTS: Mies van der Rohe
+ Philip Johnson
LOCATION: 375 Park Avenue, New
York ,USA
COMMISSIONERS: Seagram
Liquor Company(10)
•39-story
•516-foot tall office
•Noted for
•windows
• public plaza that features a
monumental sculpture by
Alexander Calde (8)
Fig 25:SEAGRAM BUILDING PLAN
Ref : http://www.archdaily.com

24. •The building became a monumental
continuity of bronze and dark glass
•Mies’ response to the city with the
seagram building was the grand gesture
of setting back the building 100 feet
from the street edge, which created a
highly active open plaza.
•Large granite surface of the plaza(10)
Fig 26:SEAGRAM BUILDING ELEVATION
Ref : http://www.archdaily.com
Fig27:PUBLIC PLAZA
Ref:http://www.flickriver.com/photos/dandc/tags/seagrambuil
ding/

25. •These floors also get maximum natural
lighting with the exterior being glass
panes of gray topaz that were used for
sun and heat protection.
•Use of modern materials and
setback from the city grid, became a
prototype for future office
buildings.(10)
Fig 28:SEAGRAM BUILDING ELEVATION
Ref : http://www.archdaily.com
Fig 29:SEAGRAM BUILDING ELEVATION
Ref:http://en.wikiarquitectura.com/index.php/File:Seagr
am_Detalle_Ventanas.jpg

26. •The plaza attracts users with its two
large fountains surrounded by generous
outdoor seating.
Fig30:FOUNTAINS IN PLAZA
Ref:http://www.stylepark.com/en/news/no-no-no-no-nobr-thebook-to-go-with-the-seagram-building/342945
•Additional vertical elements were also welded to
the window panels not only to stiffen the skin for
installation and wind loading, but to aesthetically
further enhance the vertical articulation of the
building.(10)
Fig31:STRUCTURE
Ref : http://parkinglotslol.blogspot.in/2011/02/god-ofmaterials-and-details-in.html

27. CONSTRUCTION
DETAILS
Fig32:COLUMN BEAM DETAIL
Ref :http://www.jmhdezhdez.com/2011/05/seagrambuilding-mies-new-york.html
Fig32:FAÇADE DETAIL
Ref:http://www.copper.org/applications/architec
ture/arch_dhb/archdetails/wall_cladding/curtainwall.html

28. BIBLOGRAPHY
1. [Online] http://studio-dubois.nl/index.php?/analysis/analysis/.
.
2. [Online] http://ku-architecturestudiovi-2012.blogspot.in/2012/07/surprise-1.html
3. Trachtenberg, Marvin. Architecture from prehistory to post modernism/the western
tradition. Britain : academy edition 7 holland street, london w8, 1986.
4.[Online]http://www.thearchitectpainter.com/MadisonGray/deep_SIGHT/reviews/emptyF
.
ULL.htm
5. D.K.Ching, Francis. A Global History of Architecture. s.l. : John Wiley
&Sons,Inc., 2007.
6. architectural review magazine.
7.[Online]whc.unesco.org/en/list/1052/
8. [Online]http://www.miessociety.org/legacy/projects/
9. mies van der rohe. london : teNeues, 2002. isbn-3-8238-5581-6.
10. [Online] http://www.archdaily.com